Students urged to combine learning with relationship building

The annual PEO Student Conference attracted more than 70 delegates from 13 Ontario engineering schools on November 3 to 5, 2017, where they discussed ways to invigorate the next generation of engineering practitioners. Held at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, the conference adopted the theme “Motivate-Innovate-Integrate.”

The conference was led by Ryerson engineering students Alexis Ostrowski and Obaid Ullah with their executive team. It focused on how motivation, innovation and integration can play a key role not only in the engineering workforce but also in the lives of engineering students.

The diverse and engaging speakers offered a perfect mix for the delegates. Speakers touched on relevant topics such as internships, networking, engineering impacts and how to start your own company.

Delegates gained special insights from PEO President Bob Dony, PhD, P.Eng., FEC, who discussed the impacts practitioners have on engineering around the world. Dony told delegates that the field they have chosen is one that is exciting and innovative.

Students also heard from Ontario Society of Professional Engineers President and Chair Jonathan Hack, P.Eng., who spoke about the major impact engineering has on politics, and how he envisions students playing a pivotal role in policy decisions.

Delegates also heard from officials with the Centre of Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship of Ryerson University and learned about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. They were asked a puzzling question: “What would you do to make the most money possible with only $50, and with only one day to do it?”

The conference included a presentation from Rose Ghamari, a designer at Bombardier Aerospace, and former president of the Ryerson Engineering Student Society. As well, two PEO officials, Tracey Caruana, P.Eng., manager, engineering intern programs, and Sami Lamrad, EIT, student programs coordinator, addressed delegates about the regulator-engineering student relationship.

Delegates also heard from the award-winning Ryerson Hyperloop team that recently competed at SpaceX. Delegates learned about the major advancements made in this new technology.

On Saturday evening, November 4, delegates gathered for the formal banquet event. There, delegates heard from the keynote speaker, Jeannette Chau, P.Eng., manager, government liaison programs for PEO. Chau encouraged students to work hard in school but remember to have fun along the way because school is not only about academics but the relationships and experiences one gains along the way.

Overall, the conference was an amazing experience for the presenters, delegates and the executive team that put hours of work into organizing such an amazing event. “The PEO Student Conference provided me with a path to my professional future and a foundation for accomplishing success in entrepreneurship,” said Alessandro Cunsolo, an aerospace engineering student at Ryerson University.

Officials from the Engineering Student Societies’ Council of Ontario expressed their appreciation for PEO’s ongoing support and said their executive team not only gained valuable knowledge but forged a relationship they will carry with them in the future.

Jeffrey Lee is a vice president with the Engineering Student Societies’ Council of Ontario.